Exploring the night in a campground with kids can be rewarding—but definitely tiring! A practical alternative is the backyard campout. There is still the neat experience of sleeping outdoors, but it’s coupled with the convenience of your own bathroom and a well-stocked fridge just a few feet away!

Before dark, plan some simple old-fashioned games like tag, marbles or hopscotch on the driveway. One family plays “Hide and Go Beep” as it gets dark – they find each other by sound rather than just sight.

Follow up the activity with simple outdoor snacks. I found an idea for “easy-to-do smores” that involves making a dish of crushed graham crackers, and a dish of melted chocolate or chocolate sauce. Kids then take the heated marshmallow and dip it in the chocolate and then the crackers.

Take time to look at the stars. In our indoor-focused world, kids rarely look up at the evening sky. Then, before crawling into the sleeping bags, be sure to do stories in the tent or around a fire pit.

The memories created with something as simple as an evening in a backyard tent can last a lifetime. It’s essential today to show children that time in nature without electronic entertainment is satisfying and downright fun!

Enjoy summer!